[PsychoMaiko]

Not that my keypad is broken or anything, just that Cingular's pearl isn't as sexy as the original pearl


too much grey and not enough black like the original on the right

Well, I was just wondering if I could just buy a replacement keypad and replace Cingular's keypad with an original keypad and possibly replace the little bottom cover too where it says Cingular to a blank all black one.

[canonbomb1987]

Originally Posted by PsychoMaiko

Not that my keypad is broken or anything, just that Cingular's pearl isn't as sexy as the original pearl

http://www.mobiletechreview.com/imag...rlcingular.jpg http://images.techtree.com/ttimages/...156_matter.jpg
too much grey and not enough black like the original on the right

Well, I was just wondering if I could just buy a replacement keypad and replace Cingular's keypad with an original keypad and possibly replace the little bottom cover too where it says Cingular to a blank all black one.

Try getting a dummy phone to get the parts from.

[PsychoMaiko]

Where can i get a dummy phone and how much would that cost?

[xXSilentScreamXx]

well i can get them 4m my grandpa cause hes a tmo sales rep
but other than that idk?

[xXSilentScreamXx]

or just buy a tmo pearl unlocked?

[cagiii]

lol yeah spend between 300 and 400 dollars for a new keypad come one now!

[canonbomb1987]

I just did a google search for "pearl dummy phone" and came up with this ebay ad. eBay: T-MOBILE BLACKBERRY PEARL 8100 DUMMY PHONE NEW (item 320080124158 end time Feb-11-07 18:32:06 PST)
$4.99 seems like a cheap enough price to try this with. Let us know if you end up gong through with it and post some pics as well.

[zacutti]

i dont understand why cingular feel they have to change the phone to begin with, its stunning the way it is. why mess it up!

[trbloomer]

Damn, I had looked at my Pearl and somehow it didn't look as good as the pictures but the difference didn't quite register on my brain. So thanks a lot PsychoMaiko, now I want the tmob look as well.

[PsychoMaiko]

Damn, too bad I didn't check up on my thread sooner, I missed out on the auction, but I have my eye on another so I'm still in luck.. I also found pearl dummy phones on DummyPhones.com - Your source for Displays & Dummy Phones for your Cellular Business! but they are going for $60!



I wouldn't have to go through all this trouble if Cingular just kept the Pearl the way it was...

[canonbomb1987]

I kinda like the cingular pearl. I am going to take the keypad off and color the led's underneath of it. I did that to my Pearl trackball and it now a blueish green color to it. The keypad is up as soon as i get my hands on a torx 6 wrench.

[PsychoMaiko]

Does anyone know if the keypad detaches from the front plate or not? I haven't tried taking my phone apart yet..

[trbloomer]

I´m guessing its similar to the keypad in a Nokia where its kind of a rubber mat that can be lifted out.

[PsychoMaiko]

Alright, I just won a dummy phone today from eBay for $20.50.. Now just waiting for it to arrive before I can start doing anything


Edit: If anyone is still interested, I have recieved the tmo dummy and I have to warn you that the tmo pearl is darker than the cingular pearl. Also, the dummy I recieve, the battery door is glued shut. I'm not sure if all pearl dummies are glued shut but I bet a lot of them out there are so watch out. My mistake = your benefit